Edison, NJ - The Metro Atlantic
Athletic Conference's (MAAC) Council of Presidents met in New York City for
their biannual meeting last week and approved the league's new 5-Year Strategic
Plan effective from 2012 through 2017.

The
new plan institutes a scheduling policy for men's and women's basketball
effective for the 2012-13 academic year. The policy states that MAAC schools
cannot schedule non-conference opponents who are ranked in the bottom 50 on the
2-year RPI report. Exceptions may be made when scheduling a traditional
opponent. This policy will be evaluated on a yearly basis and reflects an
effort to increase the member schools' strength of scheduling which is a key
factor in post-season selection and seeding by the NCAA and NIT/WNIT
committees.

The
plan also continues to guarantee each member institution a minimum of three
appearances on the conference's broadcast package, including at least one
women's basketball appearance.

Another
major component of the strategic plan is to elevate men's and women's lacrosse
to core sports beginning in 2014-15. At that time, the league's members will
begin a multi-year plan to increase funding for lacrosse, which will include an
increase in full-time coaching positions and scholarships.

"The
decision to elevate the sport of lacrosse to the level of a core sport in the
MAAC is a tremendous opportunity for our conference," said Bill Maher, Director
of Athletics at Canisius College. "The growth of lacrosse nationally over the
past 10 years has been remarkable and this will position our member
institutions to build the MAAC into one of the top leagues in the country".

In
2014-15 men's and women's tennis will be removed from the core sport list, but
will continue with the four team MAAC Championships.

The
Council also approved the MAAC's new six-year agreement with ESPN. In addition,
they agreed to support NCAA President Mark Emmert's reform agenda, and approved
the inclusion of new language in the MAAC bylaws for awarding miscellaneous
expense allowance to student-athletes who receive a full grant-in-aid.

The
Presidents also approved Jacksonville University's application for associate
membership in men's and women's rowing. The Dolphins will begin competition in
the league at the 2012 MAAC Rowing Championships at Mercer Lake, N.J., the site
of the 2012 NCAA Rowing Championships hosted by the MAAC and Rider University.

"The number and breadth of the agenda items that were
approved by the presidents is a reflection of the growth of the MAAC in
multiple sports and also the continued focus on the core sports of men's and
women's basketball," said league commissioner Rich Ensor. "I want to thank the
Council of Presidents for their continued support of league initiatives
involving sports sponsorship, branding, and support of the coaches and
student-athletes that make-up the MAAC."